In 2021 there was a major focus on sowing clover in Irish agriculture. This was due to increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse grass emissions. Also, clover is set to help reduce the use of nitrogen fertiliser and increase the efficiency of nitrogen.
White clover is recommended to improve sustainability. However, farmers may be hesitant to change their pasture-based milk and meat production systems until they find out more about the plant, growth conditions and benefits.
The Process
Firstly, white clover grows well with grass. It is suited to grazing and can grow in a wide range of climate conditions. It is also suitable for organic farmers as it can help determine grass growth potential.
White clover can fix nitrogen through the atmosphere and turn it into plant growth. This process reduces the need for chemical Nitrogen. This means clover can be used as an alternative to artificial fertiliser, which may be in the farmers favour with high costs this year.
Benefits
Teagasc lists that benefits of clover can be seen from May onwards. These include increased herbage quality in the summer months (compared to grass only), increased dry matter intake for summer and autumn, and higher milk yield and live weight gain.
Using clover to improve both animal and sward production and reduce chemical N fertiliser use are opportunities for farmers to save money in the long term.
Growing Clover
Establishing white clover on a farm may take a couple of years. For best results, clover can be sown through a full reseed. If this option does not suit, it can also be introduced into a sward by being stitched/over-sown in. Paddocks with the right soil fertility, high perennial grass content and low-density swards with controlled weeds are best for stitching. Head of Grassland Research at Teagasc, Dr. Michael O’Donovan, recommends that between late-April and mid-June is the optimum time for establishing white clover in grassland swards.
If sowing, soil fertility plays a factor in the success of growth. Teagasc also recommends getting up to date soil samples as the PH is critical. As clover is more sensitive to a lower PH than grass, it should be greater than 6.3 and N&P indexes 3+. With different clover variants available, knowing your soil can help choose which is best suited. A local seed supplier can help with this.
Farmers must be aware that weed control is essential before clover growth. The majority of sprays can kill off clover.
Savings
Research undertaken by Teagasc has delivered ‘promising results’ to date. They state that on dairy farms, clover can help increase milk solids by 20-48kg cow/per year and increase net farm profit up to €305/ha. Suckler farmers who took part in the research also saw profitability increase by 14% for grass/clover compared to grass only system.
FRS are currently hiring farm staff. To find out more by calling 0818 890 890 or visit frsfarmreliefservices.ie/careers for current vacancies and to apply online.